Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon is home to Solitude and Brighton resorts and is known for its world-renowned skiing and snowboarding as it averages over 500 inches of powder snow per year.  In the off-ski seasons hiking, biking, fishing, camping and rock climbing can be enjoyed amongst the beautiful mountain scenery. Both resorts provide year-round, full-service facilities.  Even though Big Cottonwood Canyon is located just 30 minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport, it is a hidden gem as once you start driving through the 15-mile long canyon you are transported to a true mountain experience.  Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway comes out at the top of the canyon to Guardsman Pass which allows travel to Park City during the summer months.  The Pass is closed in the winter due to the high levels of snow which makes it popular place for snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Big Cottonwood Canyon Real Estate

Big Cottonwood Canyon is home to 6 private communities:

Mount Haven:

Located 9 miles into Big Cottonwood Canyon, Mount Haven is a private, gated community with a range of property sizes and prices.  Bordering Big Cottonwood Creek and Forest Land residents will enjoy spectacular views of Reynolds Gulch and Mt. Kessler peak and be able to access incredible backcountry skiing.  Most of the roads are paved, however some are not, and some properties do not have year-round water service.

Silver Fork:

Bordering Solitude Mountain Resort, Silver Fork has a wide array of home sizes many on large lots with spectacular views of Big Cottonwood Creek, pine trees and aspen groves.  Unlike some of the other communities in this area, Silver Fork has many year-round residents as it has year-round water and paved road access.

Solitude:

Solitude Resort Village, with a master plan of only 240 properties, has a wonderful mixture of condominiums, townhouses, lodges and private single-family homes many of which are ski-in/ski-out properties or a very short walk to the ski slopes.  Here a property can be found to fit almost any need or want.  

Silver Lake Estates:

Silver Lake Estates is the most recent development in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Set against a backdrop of Silver Lake and Brighton’s peaks, these over-sized, wooded lots are dotted with exquisite million-dollar homes. There are designated open space and wetlands surrounded by aspens and pine trees. There is year-round water, newly paved roads, utility and sewer connections and the community has CC&Rs to ensure strict standards are maintained.

Forest Glen:

Forest Glen is a gated, private and newer community in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  With its huge views of Solitude and Brighton ski resorts you will definitely feel like you are living amongst nature at its best, yet you are only about an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City through the Canyon and Park City, Heber and Midway Valley via Guardsman’s Pass (during the summer months).  There are some more affordable housing options, and a growing number of year-round residents are calling Forest Glen home.  Incredible hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling and back-country skiing are literally in your back yard.

Brighton Loop:

Brighton Loop has paved roads with year-round access and water and sewer connections making it a great option for year-round living.  Surrounded by the granite cliffs and other incredible views, Brighton Loop offers ski-in/ski-out homes with convenient access to Brighton Ski Resort, the Solitude Nordic Center and Silver Lake.

SOLITUDE SKI RESORT:

Previously owned by Deer Valley Resort since 2014, Alterra Mountain Company purchased Solitude approximately a year after it acquired Deer Valley Resort in 2017.  The purchase by Alterra adds Solitude to the network of 12 other resorts owned by the company to include:    Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado; Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort in California; Stratton in Vermont; Snowshoe in West Virginia; Tremblant in Quebec, Blue Mountain in Ontario; Deer Valley in Utah; and CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures in British Columbia.   Alterra is the second largest ski resort company in the United States directly behind Vail Resorts which owns 14 ski resort properties.  Solitude is a family friendly ski resort catering to all level of skiers and snowboarders with many beginner blue runs, intermediate runs and expert double black diamond runs.  Solitude has always been a great ski destination, but now being owned by Alterra and their exceptional service…the bar has been raised.

Solitude Resort Village, with a master plan of only 240 properties, has a wonderful mixture of condominiums, townhouses, lodges and private single-family homes many of which are ski-in/ski-out properties or a very short walk to the ski slopes.  Here a property can be found to fit almost any request. 

Developments in Solitude include:

• Alpine Creek
• Creekside
• Eagle Springs East
• Eagle Springs West
• Powderhorn
• Silver Aspen
• Solitude Mountain Estates
• Solitude Resort Village 
• The Crossings

BRIGHTON SKI RESORT:

Located a few miles past Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton is the less-flashy sister to Solitude as it is more of a “locals” place to ski.  Brighton is the only resort that can claim a 100% of their ski terrain is accessible by high-speed quads.  Families or groups of skiers with different proficiency levels can all ride the quad together and then set off on runs that suit their individual needs.  Located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton is often directly in the path of winter storms, many claim it receives more and “better” snow than Solitude.  Beginner and intermediate runs are groomed on a nightly basis (with some exceptions) while the expert trails are groomed but left more rugged for deep powder skiers.  There are 4 terrain parks for freestyler riders and skiers to enjoy.   Brighton also boasts the most night skiing available in Utah with 22 runs on over 200 lighted acres.  

Brighton is known for their renowned Ski and Snowboard School.  The school provides group classes for all levels of skiers and riders, private lessons and also has classes for individual groups such as kids, seniors, etc.

Brighton is approximate 35 miles from the Salt Lake International Airport and there is frequent bus service from many hotels and park and ride lots.  There are several lakes (Lake Mary, Lake Martha, Twin Lakes and Dog Lake) in the area to enjoy via easy trail access.

There is not a lot of lodging in Brighton but what is there ranges from quaint, rustic mountain cabins, townhomes to incredible ski homes.  

Lodging in Brighton includes:

• Silver Fork Lodge
• Brighton Chalets
• Brighton Resort
• Brighton Lodge